Perhaps you’re headed on a little holiday vacation. Or maybe you want to get a head start on your planning the outfits you plan on wearing on your 2026 extravaganzas. Whatever the case may be, we all know that footwear is the heaviest, bulkiest part of any packing list, and half your carry-on is dedicated to shoes you will likely never wear. That said, if you can master the shoe selection, you master the carry-on. Now, I’ve done my fair share of traveling over the years, and guess what? I’ve found that the magic number isn’t three or four—it’s two. That’s right, you only need two pairs of shoes to accompany the outfits you have for your week-long trip, and I’ve got just the perfect pairs.
Here is the definitive guide to the only two pairs of shoes you need to survive (and look good on) a 7-day trip.
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The Strategy: The “Day Walker” & The “Night Shifter”
Okay, so here’s the deal. You’re going to need a “day walker” pair and a “night shifter” pair. I.E., one shoe for 20,000 steps of sightseeing, and another that elevates an outfit for dinner but can still handle a 20-minute walk to the restaurant.
The “Day Walker” (Wear on the Plane)
There’s specific requirements for your “day walker” pair. For starters, it has to be comfortable enough for eight hours of walking, but but neutral enough to wear with jeans, shorts or a casual dress. Now, you don’t want to make the mistake of bringing a dedicated “gym shoe” that clashes with all of your fits. That’s why I recommend the New Balance 550 (was $110; now $86), which you can get from multiple retailers.
Aside from their minimalist style and versatility, they offer plenty of support without looking like a running shoe, and you can wear them just about anywhere, including to the airport. Speaking of the airport, these will be the bulkiest item in your luggage, so if you wear them on the plane, then you’ll save suitcase space.
Runner-Up
Adidas Samba OG Shoes
The Sambas are always an effortless, cool vibe. Plus, wearing them means you’ll look like a local running errands, not a tourist on a hiking expedition.
That leads us to the “night shifter.”
The “Night Shifter” (Pack in the Bag)
The key here is smart-casual functionality. So, for your “night shifter,” you will need shoes that are dressy enough to get you into a nice bar or museum, but sturdy enough to support you throughout the day. This means nixing the stilettos and high-heels, as you’ll hate them the moment you have to walk longer than a block. For this, I recommend packing a chunky loafer or a Chelsea boot. The Dr. Martens Adrian Bex shoes (was $160; now $136) are a great investment to make, in my opinion.
Made with leather and boasting an elevated design, they’re slip-on (making them easy for the hassle of dealing with TSA), polishable and comfy. Plus, black loafers have a crafty way of making blue jeans look like dinner attire.
Runner-Up
Blundstone Leather Chelsea Boots
Not only do Chelsea boots handle rain and mud better than any sneaker, but they look especially sharp with your outfits.
The Bottom Line
Travel is about the experience, not the gear. By limiting yourself to two versatile pairs, you free up mental energy (and suitcase space) for what really matters: that wonderful Parisian dinner you have planned.
Author Bio
Jael Rucker is the founder of Decked Out Magazine. She has previously worked as the Associate Commerce Editor at PureWow, focusing on analytics and trends to pitch stories and optimize articles that build and engage their audience. Her work has also been seen in Footwear News and WWD. Prior to 2024, she was the style and pop culture editor at ONE37pm for over three years, contributing numerous product reviews, brand profiles and fashion trend reports, which included interviewing Steph Curry, Snoop Dogg and more.
